Method of dyeing



Nov. 6, 1934. H 1.. BAKER METHOD OF DYEING Filed June 9, 1931 INVENTOR Patented or. 6, 193% PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF DYEING Harry L. Baker, New York, N. Y., assignor to Samcoe Holding Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 9, 1931', Serial No. 543,115

12 Claims.

This invention relates to the art of dyeing filamentous textile fabrics consisting of either natural or artificial fibers which contain materials foreign to the elementary fiber itself, such 6 as the cotton wax, pectins, etc. which are associated with the fiber in its natural state; or which contain artificially added lubricating, binding, sizing and similar materials such as mineral oils, starches, waxes, etc., or which contain both 10 natural and artificial foreign materials.

The natural textile fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, etc. contain extraneous matter of various kinds. Usually lubricants and sizes have been artificially added to facilitate the manufacturing processes prior to dyeing. The artificial fibers, of which viscose rayon is an example, are usually coated or impregnated with lubricating and sizing materials to permit their successful passage through the mechanism for spinning,

'20 weaving, knitting, or otherwise treating the fibers. In addition, textile fibers may contain accidental foreign matter such as machine lubricants, fioor dirt, etc. These various types of material, extraneous to the fundamental textile substances, are customarily removed by scouring operations prior to dyeing.

If the scouring is done before dyeing, several disadvantages arise. The scouring operation must leave the textile substance uniformly receptive to the dye, and to insure this uniformity requires an operation, consuming a disproportionate amount'of time, chemicals, and supervisory attention. If the scoured textile must be dried before dye is applied, as is the case with many dyeing processes; then the extraction of the superfluous liquor by mechanical, chemical or physical means, may have a deleterious effect upon the textile, and these processes consume time and money. I

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method of dyeing fabrics in which the preliminary scouring is avoided so that the operation is materially simplified, the oil, wax, etc., whether indigenous to the fabric or artificially applied thereto, and accidentaldirt being separated from the fabric after the dye has been fixed thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method adapted especially to facilitate 5b the application of dyes to tubular fabrics.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification.

We have discovered that dyes can be applied successfully to fabrics without initial scouring thereof and that oil and other extraneous material can be removed sucessfully from the fabric after the dye has been fixed. The removal of the oil and other extraneous material is accomplished by a cleansing operation which is essential, in any event, to the completion of the dyeing operation. Thue, we have eliminated a number of steps in the dyeing operation and thereby have simplified the procedure. Furthermore, the results are improved materially with respect to clearness and level coloring .and the procedure is otherwise advantageous.

In carrying out the operation in general, we apply to the fabric as it comes from the looms or knitting machines, the so-called greige goods, a suitable dyestufi, and a liquid which is adapted to facilitate impregnation of the fabric. Triethanolamine is, for example, such a liquid.

It may be combined with water in which the dye is present, and the fabric may be treated with this liquid in any suitable way, for example by drawing the fabric through a bath thereof.

If the fabric carries in addition to the oil a substantial amount of dirt such as machine stains or floor dirt, it is desirable to add'to the solution suitable emulsifying agents and/or solvents such as oleic acid and ethylene dichloride. These may be omitted if the fabric includes merely the oil introduced thereto during 'the manufacturing operation.

After the initial impregnation with the liquid carrying the dye, the fabric may be treated with a detergent solution to complete the development of the shade of color and to remove finally the oil and other extraneous dirt. After suitable rinsing the fabric may be dried and finished. In using certain dyestuffs, intermediate treatment to oxidize or otherwise fix the dye may be introduced before the detergent is applied.

It will be noted that in this operation the dye is applied initially to the fabric or greige goods containing oil and possibly dirt which remain in the fabric until the final scouring operation. Contrary to the established practies the material is not preliminarily scoured, and in spite of well established principles the dye is applied and fixed on the fabric successfully to produce satisfactory colors and shades free from specks, stains and streaks. All of the operations incidental to initial scouring of the fabric are thus avoided, and an improved result is secured.

The method as described is applicable to ordinary woven fabrics but is particularly useful in connection with the dyeing of tubular knitted fabrics. In applying the method to such materials the fabrics are not initially secured but are preferably distended to their tubular dimensions before being subjected to the initial treatment with a solution containing the dyestuff. For this purpose we may utilize any suitable apparatus, but we prefer equipment such as that illustrated diagrammatically in the copending application of Samuel Cohn, Ser. No. 458,159, (Patent No. 1,893,197) and particularlythe propelling and wringing apparatus shown in Letters Patent No. 1,790,655 to Samuel Cohn with such additional equipment as the well-known reels employed generally in the dyeing industry. A suitable apparatus is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing it being understood that the apparatus may be modified to meet the particular conditions of operation.

Referring to the drawing 5 indicates a strip of tubular fabric which is opened to its tubular dimensions preferably in a propelling device 6 comprising a frame 7 with internal rolls 8 which are supported by external rolls 9 and 10. Such equipment is illustrated and described in the Letters Patent to Samuel Cohn aforesaid. After it is opened in the manner indicated, the fabric is conveyed preferably under transverse and longitudinal tension through a bath 11 which may contain the dyestuif in a liquid medium. This liquid may be circulated continuously by a pump 12 in order to maintain uniformity. Rollers 13 and 14 direct the fabric through the bath to the wringer rolls 15 and 16 which extract the surplus liquid from the fabric. From the wringer rolls the fabric still under tension may be conveyed through a second receptacle 1'! through which it is directed by rollers 18 and 19. In the second receptacle an alkaline bath may be maintained in which the dyestuff is rendered soluble and partially fixed in the fabric. From the second bath the fabric may pass through wringer rolls 20 and 20' which remove the surplus liquid, after which the fabric may be wound on a reel 21.

Preferably the remaining operations are carried out with the fabric in rope form on reels 22 and 23, each supported in suitable tanks 24 and 25 which are adapted to contain suitable solutions for the further treatment of the fabric, for example, an alkaline solution in the tank 24 and water in the tank 25. It will be understood that the final scouring in a soap solution and rinsing of the fabric may be accomplished in equipment similar to the tanks 24 and 25.

In the procedure as described the tubular fabric is first subjected to the liquid carrying the dyestuff and thereafter to scouring in a soap solution and rinsing to remove the soap and the emulsified impurities from the fabric. The dyestuif is applied initially to the unscoured fabric while the latter is expanded, and consequently the uniform impregnation is secured. The subsequent operations may be carried out while the fabric is in rope form, since the thorough impregnation has already been accomplished. By the operation as described,

uniform and level coloring is assured.

Various dyes well known in the art may be used in carrying out the procedure. Among the more important of these dyes are indanthrenes and naphthols and their derivatives. Such dyes, when properly applied and fixed, are fast, that is to say, they cannot be removed from the fabric by boiling in soap solutions. Consequently it is possible to apply such dyes to fabrics containing oil and carrying dirt and stains, and thereafter to remove the oil and dirt just as similar impurities are removed in laundering without injury to the fabric or to the colors. In fact, experience has demonstrated that the colors are improved by treating the fabric in the manner herein described. Various direct dyes may also be used, the final scouring being conducted at a comparatively low temperature, for example below 140 F., thus avoiding bleaching of the color.

To illustrate the variations possible in the use of this invention, the following examples will suffice:

A cotton voile in the loom state is dyed with the following liquor upon the usual type of piece goods padder- Wetting-out agent 3 oz. Direct dyestufi 2 oz. Water to make 10 gallons.

.mentioned above is to promote level dyeing. It

may be any of several well known agents on the market for that purpose.

The dyed cloth is transferred to a reel or other suitable machine and scouring and bleaching takes place in a detergent liquor containing a suitable amount of sodium hypochlorite. The temperature of this bath is not allowed to exceed 140 F.

, As another example of the application of a dye in accordance with the invention, we may treat knitted rayon tubing containing 12% mineral oil and 2% oleic acid as follows:

A dye liquor is made up according to the following formula- Two ouncesof oleic acid are dissolved in 16 ounces of ethylene dichloride and this solution is added to eight gallons of water containing sixteen ounces of triethanolamine and sixteen ounces of a vat dye paste. The total volume is then adjusted'to ten gallons by the addition of water. The rayon fabric is impregnated with this cold or hot liquor on a padding machine.

The oleic acid dissolved in the ethylene dichloride combines with the stochiometric amount of triethanolamine to form a soap which emulsifies the ethylene dichloride. The excess triethanolamine acts upon the oleic acid in the fabric forming a soap which together with the solvent, ethylene dichloride, permits subsequent quick and thorough scouring. These compounds also greatly facilitate the uniform impregnation of the fabric with the vat dye paste.

The impregnated fabric is then passed through another impregnation liquor on the padder to reduce the vat dye paste with which the fabric was impregnated on the first padder. This impregnation liquor contains an alkaline reducing agent to act on the vat dye paste which has been previously impregnated on the fabric. In the example now being given this liquor is made up as follows:

Caustic soda 4 lb. Sodium hydrosulfite 4 lb. Water to make 10 gallons.

pregnation with a boiling soap treatment, an

alkaline reducing liquor treatment may be interposed, followed by an acid oxidizing treatment, and then followed by a boiling soap bath.

In using this invention it is not necessary to use the specific chemicals mentioned by way of illustration. Suitable chemicals are chosen to act according to the requirements of a specific fabric or process.

For example, if the fabric contains free fatty acids, the presence of a saponifying agent in the first impregnative liquor is indicated. The addition of a suitable solvent is often advantageous in this liquor as its presence upon the fabric facilitates subsequent treatments especially if non-saponifiable matter is present. The addition of wetting out agents is often advantageous, especially when the fabric contains such impurities as cotton wax, as these wetting out agents facilitate the even thorough penetration of the dye as well as facilitating subsequent scouring treatments. By the addition of suitable bleaching agents to the first impregnation bath which contains dyestufi resistant to that bleaching agent, dyeing and bleachingmay be effected simultaneously. The scouring is effected by subsequent treatments.

It will be understood that the specific procedure as described is merely illustrative and that the operation, the chemicals and proportions thereof employed, and other details may be varied widely in carrying out the invention. The essential features are the application of the dye to fabric without initial scouring thereof, followed by securing to remove oil and dirt from the fabric, and particularly the application of the procedure to tubular fabrics to produce, uniform fast colors thereon.

Various changes may be made as indicated without departing from the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabrics containing inclusions of oil and/or extraneous removable matter and in flat distended position, which comprises uniformly applying the dye in a liquid medium directly to the upper, lower and edge portions of the flattened tube of unscoured fabric.

2. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabrics containing inclusions of oil and/or extraneous removable matter and in flat distended position which comprises uniformly applying the dye in a liquid medium and emulsifying agent to the lower, upper and edge portions of the flattened tube and subsequently removing the oil and/or the extraneous matter from the fabric.

of the unscoured flattened tube and subsequently removing the oil and/or extraneous matter from the fabric at lower temperatures.

4. The method of pad dyeing tubular textile fabric containing inclusions of oil and/or extraneous removable matter which comprises applying the dye in a liquid medium directly and uniformly to the upper, lower and edge portions of the unscoured tubular fabric in flattened tube form.

5. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabric containing inclusions of oil and/or extraneous removable matter which comprises applying the dye in a liquid medium directly anduniformly to the upper, lower and edge portions of the tubular fabric in flattened form and removing the surplus liquid by rolling pressure.

6. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabric which comprises impregnating the fabric in flat distended position and containing inclusions of oil and/or extraneous removable matter with an aqueous dye liquor which includes assistant chemicals, and further impregnating the flattened unscoured tube with a chemical liquid to initially commence the reducing of the shade in the fabric.

7 The method of pad dyeing tubular textile fabric in the greige state which comprises consecutively applying and developing the dye on the fabric by liquid application to both upper, lower and edge portions of the fabric in flattened tube form.

8. The method of pad dyeing tubular textile fabric in the greige state which comprises con- 1 secutively applying and developing the dye on the fabric by liquid application to both upper, lower and edge portions of the fabric in flat distended position and intermediately and subsequently subjecting the fabric in flat distension to rolling pressure to remove the surplus liquid.

9. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabrics which comprises saturating a fabric containing impurities incidental to the manufacture thereof and in fiat distended position with a liquid containing the dye and an emulsifying agent.

10. The method of dyeng tubular textile fabric which comprises uniformly subjecting the superimposed layers and edge portions of the fabric in flat distended position and containing a substantial proportion of oil and/or other extraneous matter to a liquid containing the dye in suspension, and developing the dye on the fiat distended and unscoured fabric.

11. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabric which comprises uniformly subjecting the superimposed layers and edge portions of the fabric in flat distended position and containing a substantial proportion of oil and/or other extraneous matter to a liquid containing the dye in suspension and an emulsifying agent, and developing the dye on the flat distended fabric.

12. The method of dyeing tubular textile fabric which comprises uniformly saturating the superimposed layers and edge portions of the fabric in its greige state and as a flattened tube with a liquid containing the dye, and further impregnating the fabric with a chemical liquid to reduce the dye to shade on the flattened and unsecured fabric.

HARRY L. BR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,979,818. November 6, 1934.

HARRY L. BAKER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requirinz'correction as follows: Page 3, line 63, claim 2, before, "to" insert the word directly; and lines 64 and 65, same claim, strike out the vwords "and subsequently removing the oil and/or the extraneous matter from the." and insert the words of unsecured; and line 99. claim 6, for "flattened unscoured"read unscoured flattened; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case inthe Patent Office.

' Signed and sealed this 12th day of February, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

